Most illustrious fathers, most noble protectors of Rome, most honorable men of our Republic, I understand that you are probably surprised to see Catullus rise to speak before you, as I am indeed unworthy of such a respectable body as this. However, I beg you, trouble yourselves for just these few minutes to listen to what a humble poet has to say.
Many of you have probably read at least some of my carmina, and know that politics is usually not my subject. However, do not avert your ears, for I would not dare pollute you, of such rectitude, with my inconsequential iambs. Necessity calls me to the Senate house today, for I feel my country stands on the brink of ruin, if, O gods, it is not already beyond salvaging. Though my opinion may not sway this famous body, if the yoke of necessity brings lowly Catullus to the Senate to cast his vote, the state of Rome must surely be in grave danger. Danger due largely to Julius Caesar and the unwieldy state of affairs his followers have left us with.
I will begin by relating some of my past and upbringing, because it helps explain my utter contempt with Julius Caesar and his usurpation of power. Though now a Roman citizen, I hail from Verona, one of Rome’s many provinces. Here, I grew up with the values of Cato, valuing frugality, moderation, and honesty. Since I have come to Rome, I have witnessed this city transform from a Republic upholding these virtues that I hold dear, to a monarchy of pomp and decadence. Distinguished Caesar, our one and only general, has sullied the name of this great state by his extravagant trappings, his gluttony, and his adultery. He has even squandered the Roman treasury in supporting his equally gluttonous ally and bedmate Mamurra in Gaul and Britain.
But let me not only speak of the evils of his private and social life. Julius Caesar, let us not forget, supported Catiline to become consul in 64. Caesar hoped that by helping his ally attain this prestigious political position, his own political ambitions might be more easily sated. Caesar certainly receded to the shadows when Catiline revealed his true colors and plotted that heinous attack on Rome. But he had no choice, had he? For how could he rise one day to ‘glorious savior’ of Rome, if he had supported the man who tried so hard to destroy it? He did, however, continue to commit adulterous acts with Sempronia, a notorious supporter of Catiline. And let us not forget that Caesar was the only Senator who dared to stand up on December 5 in 63 and argue against Cicero’s wise and necessary punishment for Catiline’s conspirators, a punishment that Caesar in turn deserved. Although Caesar’s clemency has been celebrated throughout Rome since the Civil War, such clemency towards those who plotted to burn down Rome and slaughter its citizens is not only ignorant, but evil.
So as we ponder what to do with Julius Caesar’s body, I advise you to call to mind his association with the most wicked characters in Rome’s history. Catiline’s conspirators were punished by death—as voted wisely by you conscript Fathers. So why should Caesar have not also received such punishment for his involvement, although perhaps camouflaged, with Catiline? And, even as he managed to extract himself from that situation which threatened his rise to power, he went one step further when he marched his army on Rome and usurped all power that had once been delegated to you Senators who are seated here before me. Just as Catiline contrived to take the consulship by force, Caesar took the dictatorship by force. Although he did not physically destroy the city of Rome, he did undermine the very spirit of the city—the Republic. He has rendered useless all of the once honorable and essential offices of our government by engineering his appointment to dictatorship for life. Now, at this pivotal crossroads for Rome and for you, Senators, do not approve of Caesar’s depraved acts towards the Republic by allowing him a public funeral. This state should not contribute any funds towards a man who succeeded in debilitating it. Caesar should be treated as the enemy of liberty that he was, and suffer the same fate that rightly befell all others who attempted to tear down the great Republic of Rome. Let us throw him in the Tiber River!
-Catullus
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